Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Last night, San Jose Sharks forward Tommy Wingels fell victim to the infamous intent to blow the whistle by the referee call. In my opinion, this is a horrible call. Looks like it should have been a goal.

Situation Room Blog --- At 9:37 of the first period in the Toronto Maple Leafs/San Jose Sharks game, the Situation Room initiated a video review because the puck entered the Toronto net. The referee informed the Situation Room that he was in the process of blowing his whistle to stop play while the puck was under James Reimer's body in the crease. According to Rule 78.5, apparent goals shall be disallowed "when the Referee deems the play has been stopped, even if he had not physically had the opportunity to stop play by blowing his whistle." This is not a reviewable play therefore the referee's call on the ice stands - no goal San Jose.

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Former UND standout Matt Frattin is now joining former UND standout Matt Greene in Los Angeles. Frattin was traded as part of a trade that involved Toronto and LA.

The trade as it is written sends Frattin and former Cornell goaltender Ben Scrivens (and a 2nd round pick in 2014 or 2015) to Los Angeles for Jonathan Bernier, a goaltender who has spent his entire career thus far as a backup.

Bernier had a great year backing up Quick but it is apparent that Quick isn't about to be usurped and that his Stanley Cup performance was more the norm rather than Giguere-esque. Scrivens is young and, at least at this point, seemed destined to be a good career backup goaltender. Frattin has had 27 points (15g-12a) in his 82 game NHL career thus far.

Who Won?

I think Bernier is the winner in this trade. He now comes into a fluid goaltending situation in Toronto and can more than likely take over.

Who Lost?

It's a toss up between Frattin and Toronto incumbent goaltender James Reimer. Frattin was getting a ton of chances with Toronto and it's not all that guaranteed with Los Angeles. Who knows if Frattin will stick in the NHL next season with LA when he suredly would have with Toronto.

As for Reimer, he sits at home having thought that Toronto was high on him. He did do a lot for Toronto this year after all and he is young. So Toronto goes out and acquires another young goaltender. Bernier isn't being acquired to ride the pine. In the end, I believe this amounts to a slap to the face to Reimer. The NHL is a business and sometimes the business is harsh.

Monday, May 13, 2013

Check out this amazing save by Toronto Maple Leafs goalie James Reimer on Boston Bruins forward Shawn Thornton. This is just how the last three games have gone for the Boston Bruins. Can't get a goal when they need one. Not burying the chances when they are presented to them.

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Seems like former Fighting Sioux forward Matt Frattin gets a lot of goals within 3-5 feet of the goal. Frattin got the game winner for the Leafs as they beat the Washington Capitals 3-2. It proves the point that good things happen if you go hard to the net. Frattin (4g-2a—6pts) is tied for second on the Maple Leafs in scoring with Nikolai Kulemin (1g-5a—6pts).

Lastly, this is a text book example of a poor effort by the Washington Capitals defense as they looked like a bunch of pylons as the Leafs skated right past them. It would be an understatement to say that the Capitals as they were flat footed on that play.